| Lechwe | |
|---|---|
_male.jpg) | |
| maleK. l. leche Nkasa Rupara National Park,Namibia | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Artiodactyla |
| Family: | Bovidae |
| Genus: | Kobus |
| Species: | K. leche |
| Binomial name | |
| Kobus leche Gray, 1850 | |
| Subspecies | |
| |
 | |
| native range extinct population:K. l. robertsi critically endangered population:K. (l.) anselli | |
| Synonyms | |
Onotragus leche | |
Thelechwe,red lechwe, orsouthern lechwe (Kobus leche) is anantelope found inwetlands of south-central Africa.
The lechwe is native to Botswana, Zambia, southeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, northeastern Namibia, and eastern Angola, especially in theOkavango Delta,Kafue Flats, andBangweulu Wetlands. The species is fairly common in zoos and wild animal farms.
Adult lechwe typically stand 90 to 100 cm (35 to 39 in) at the shoulder and generally weigh from 50 to 120 kg (110 to 260 lb), with males being larger than females. They are golden brown with white bellies. Males are darker in colour, but exact hue and amount of blackish on the front legs, chest and body varies depending onsubspecies. The long, spiral horns are vaguely lyre-shaped and borne only by males. The hind legs are somewhat longer in proportion than in other antelopes to ease long-distance running on marshy soil.
_juvenile.jpg)
_males_fighting%2c_composite.jpg)
Lechwe are found inmarshy areas where they are an importantherbivore ofaquatic plants, as well asgrasses that are found in floodedmeadows.[3][4] They use the knee-deep water as protection from predators. Their legs are covered in a water-repellant substance which allows them to run quite fast in knee-deep water. Lechwe arediurnal. They gather in herds which can include many thousands of individuals.[5] Herds are usually all of one sex, but during mating season they mix.[6]
Four subspecies of the lechwe have been recognized.[7][8]
In addition, theUpemba lechwe (Kobus anselli) and the extinctCape lechwe (Kobus venterae) are also considered subspecies by some authorities (asKobus leche anselli andKobus leche venterae).[9][10]
Although related and sharing the name "lechwe", theNile lechwe (K. megaceros) is consistently recognized as a separate species.[8]
Lechwe mate during rain seasons of November to February. They have a gestation period of seven to eight months so a majority of calves are born from July to September.[11] Although rare, hybrids between lechwe andwaterbuck have been observed.[12]
